[SOLVED] Analysis of Electronic Health Records System

Introduction

Meaningful Use Guidelines play a very important role in guiding and directing the path of health information management (HIM) systems in many health care organizations. Along with Meaningful Use Guidelines, other regulations and quality measures drive how health care organizations choose, implement, and utilize their health information systems. In this assessment, the primary focus will be on meaningful use compliance, quality assurance, and the regulatory environment related to HIM. Electronic health records (EHR) are playing an important role in improving quality, accessing important patient data, and improving communication amongst providers. They are a very important part of any HIM. However, new incentive programs such as Meaningful Use Guidelines require that health care organizations pay much closer attention to how patient data is gathered, shared, and collected. In this assessment, you will have the opportunity to work through an interactive scenario at a fictitious hospital and assess an EHR system. You will be tasked with explaining Meaningful Use Guidelines as they relate to the system, making recommendations based on best practices for maintaining meaningful use, and other regulatory compliance.

The importance of understanding meaningful use in EHR and HIM systems is to understand the standardization of the exchange of information, to improve the overall quality of health care delivered, and to reduce costs. As a master’s prepared healthcare professional you will be called upon to help organizations to reduce costs and time to bring safe and effective practices to professionals and patients. It is also incumbent upon the master’s prepared healthcare professional to bring relatable information to patients to assist them in making informed decisions about their healthcare. By completing a review and recommendation cycle of an existing EHR you will gain valuable practice in applying this knowledge and skills.

As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as a part of your assessment.

For this assessment, you will need to complete the review of an existing EHR system and provide an overview of current Meaningful Use Guidelines and incentive programs, as well as recommend ways to change either the EHR or workflow processes to ensure continuous improvement and sustainable compliance.

• Why are EHR systems important and how do they address the changing health care marketplace?
• What are the current relevant Meaningful Use Guidelines?

• • What are the current incentive programs related to these guidelines?
• How are privacy and security of patient records maintained in an EHR system?
• How can EHR systems impact the experience and quality of patient care?
• What are the future trends for EHR systems and HIM best practices?

This assessment should be completed first.

Scenario

In this scenario, you will assume the role of Quality Assurance Manager at Vila Health’s Independence Medical Center. You have been asked to review the current electronic health record (EHR) system after some concerns were raised about the system not being fully compliant with new regulations and Meaningful Use Guidelines. After your review, you will present your findings and recommendations to the leadership team.

Preparation

Capella Multimedia

Click the following link to work through the media piece.

• Vila Health: Analysis of an EHR System.

HARDWARE

• A headset with headphones and a built-in microphone, or some other hardware with audio capability.

If you do not already have audio capability with your computer system, a headset is recommended as an inexpensive option. Please set up and test your headset to verify the compatibility of the hardware as soon as possible. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions for installing and connecting the device to your computer.

Related: [Solved] EHR Technology

USING KALTURA

Note: In this assessment, you will be required to create an audio recording to accompany the PowerPoint presentation. You may use Kaltura or, with instructor approval, you may use an alternative technology to record and deliver your presentation.

In preparation for recording your presentation, complete the following:

• If you have not already done so, set up and test your headset or built-in microphone, using the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
• Practice recording to ensure the audio quality is sufficient.
• Refer to the Using Kaltura [PDF] tutorial for directions on recording and uploading your presentation in the courseroom.

Note: If you require the use of assistive technology or alternative communication methods to participate in this activity, please contact Disability Services to request accommodations.

Review the Vila Health: Analysis of an EHR System media simulation and the information provided to learn more about the Vila Health organization.

Before reviewing the EHR system, you will want to familiarize yourself with Meaningful Use Guidelines. Take a moment to review these sources and conduct an additional research as needed on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) incentive program from EHR: Meaningful Use. Refer to the Meaningful Use section of this assessment for links to different resources you might use.

Next, review the Vila Health EHR system. While analyzing the EHR, you will want to think about not only the flow of data, how it moves through the system, and compliance with Meaningful Use Guidelines, but also about the patient experience and implications on quality of care. Consider privacy and security of patient records as well.

To prepare for this assessment, use the Capella University Library and the resources provided for this assessment to research the following topics:

• Digitization of the nation’s medical records and the privacy challenges.
• EHR incentive program requirements.
• Best Practices for compliance with Meaningful Use Guidelines.
• EHR and HIM best practices for quality, privacy, and regulatory compliance.
• Types of information technologies that are used to improve the quality of patient care.

Instructions

To complete this assessment, you will prepare an 8–12 slide PowerPoint presentation of best practices and emerging models in HIM and EHRs. Your presentation will be assessed using the following criteria:

• Explain Meaningful Use Guidelines and what they mean to an organization’s current state of compliance.
• Explain an organization’s current electronic health record system and its data process to meet regulatory guidelines.
• Analyze how an electronic health record system could improve the quality of care, simplify existing processes, and improve patient outcomes.
• Explain best practices for an organization to maintain meaningful use compliance as it relates to current incentive programs and policies.
• Recommend evidence-based approaches for implementing new practices for the end user functions, training, and ongoing compliance.
• Communicate analysis and recommendations of an electronic health records system in a manner that is clear and concise.
• Integrate relevant sources to support assertions, correctly formatting citations and references using current APA style.

Below is one potential outline for the presentation that could help you to address the assessments grading criteria.

• Introduction:

• • Present what Meaningful Use Guidelines are and what they mean to the organization.
  • Present Independence Medical Center’s current state of compliance.
• Current HIS:

• • State the current EHR being used in this organization.
  • Present your findings on the evaluation of the EHR.
  • Explain how the EHR could improve the quality of care, simplify existing processes, and improve patient outcomes.
  • Discuss how the data are currently captured, tracked, analyzed, and shared and whether each area meets regulatory policy and incentive guidelines.
• Upgrades and Improvements:

• • Present your findings from your research on maintaining Meaningful Use Guidelines.
  • Present best practices for long-term compliance to current incentive programs and policy.
  • Make additional recommendations on the EHR system including end user functions, training, and ongoing compliance to the department heads.
  • Provide evidence-based recommendations for implementing new practices and emerging models in the identified departments.

Audio Recording

Use Kaltura, or other instructor-approved alternative technology, to record an audio to accompany your presentation. Before you begin recording, you may find it beneficial to write a script or detailed outline that you can refer to as you record. Your recorded audio should be no more than 15 minutes in length.

Include the notes or script of your audio recording. You may choose to include these in the “Notes” sections of the presentation slides, the script you may have used when you created your recording, or a detailed outline. This will serve to clarify any insufficient or unclear audio, or if you cannot complete the audio recording.

Note: If you did not include your notes or script in the presentation, please include them in a separate document along with the other presentation elements.

Additional Requirements

Your presentation should meet the following requirements:

• Written communication: Written communication is free from errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style and formatting guidelines.
• Number of resources: At least one APA formatted in-text citation and accompanying, congruent APA formatted reference.
• Length of presentation: 8–12 slides.
• Duration of audio recording: Maximum of 15 minutes.
• Font and font size: Arial, 18 point or above for headings and explanatory text and 24 point and above for slide titles.

Note: If you require the use of assistive technology or alternative communication methods to participate in this activity, please contact Disability Services to request accommodations.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Apply emerging models or best practices to implement a health information system that improves operations and patient outcomes. (L8.4, L12.2, L14.3)

• • Explain Meaningful Use Guidelines and what they mean to an organization’s current state of compliance.
  • Analyze how an electronic health record system could improve the quality of care, simplify existing processes, and improve patient outcomes.
• Competency 2: Analyze administrative, clinical, management, and decision-support information technology tools. (L12.1, 12.2, 14.3)

• • Explain an organization’s current electronic health record system and its data process to meet regulatory guidelines.
• Competency 3: Apply best practices relative to the financial assessments and decisions required for the implementation of health information systems. (L 8.1, 8.2, 8.4)

• • Explain best practices for an organization to maintain meaningful use compliance as it relates to current incentive programs and policies.
• Competency 4: Apply evidence to influence buy-in from all stakeholders. (L10.5)

• • Recommend evidence-based approaches for implementing new practices for end user functions, training, and ongoing compliance.
• Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professionals in health care administration. (L6.1, L6.2, L6.3, and L6.4)

• • Communicate analysis and recommendations of an electronic health records system in a manner that is clear and concise.
  • Integrate relevant sources to support assertions, correctly formatting citations and references using current APA style.